Niter
| Niter | |
|---|---|
A piece of niter collected in Tarapaca, Chile | |
| General | |
| Category | Nitrates, oxide mineral |
| Formula | KNO3 |
| IMA symbol | Nit |
| Strunz classification | 5.NA.10 |
| Dana classification | 18.1.2.1 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Crystal class | Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Space group | Cmc21 |
| Identification | |
| Color | White |
| Crystal habit | Druse or acicular |
| Cleavage | Very good on {001}; good on {010} |
| Fracture | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.10 (calc.) |
| Solubility | Soluble |
| References | |
Niter or nitre is the mineral form of potassium nitrate, KNO3. It is a soft, white, highly soluble mineral found primarily in arid climates or cave deposits.
Potassium and other nitrates are of great importance for use in fertilizers and, historically, gunpowder. Much of the world's demand is now met by synthetically produced nitrates, though the natural mineral is still mined and is still of significant commercial value.
Historically, the term niter was not well differentiated from natron, both of which have been very vaguely defined but generally refer to compounds of sodium or potassium joined with carbonate or nitrate ions.